Abertay to Host Business Support Seminar for Scottish Food Firms

Food and drink companies across Tayside and Fife are invited to tap into a range of business support during a one-day seminar at Abertay University in Dundee

The free event on Wednesday 18th October will bring together a whole host of public agencies who can help food and drink businesses to grow and thrive.

The day will open with presentations from Andrew Niven of Scotland Food & Drink who will give his thoughts on the future of food, and Anis Mourad of Scottish Enterprise who will focus on the importance of innovation in the industry.

This will be followed by a series of ‘quick fire’ presentations from organisations such as Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, the Rural LEADER funding team, Tay Cities Deal and Developing Young Workforce.

In the afternoon delegates can meet informally with all the organisations represented and chat about their requirements.

There will also be tours of the brand new £3.5m state-of-the-art food labs at Abertay, with staff on hand to explain the commercial services that they offer.

Ron Sturrock, spokesperson for Economic Development at Angus Council said, “We are delighted to be involved in hosting this event. Food and drink is a priority sector in the local economy, but often new and young companies don’t know who best to turn to when they need support. This event will help these businesses build valuable relationships that will help them grow their business.

"It is also good to see Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross and Fife Councils working together to benefit businesses and I look forward to seeing more cross-regional working like this in the future.”

Altany Craik, convener of the Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning & Transportation Committee at Fife Council said, “We are delighted to be supporting this free event designed to showcase and boost food and drink businesses across the East of Scotland. Fife has a thriving tourism industry and agriculture, fishing and the drinks industry are big business for the local economy. There is also significant potential to develop this sector and generate more, smarter, better paid jobs within food and drink."

Any food and drink business from Angus, Dundee, Perth and Kinross or Fife is eligible to attend this event, along with members of the agricultural community, professional services specialising in food and drink, postgraduate students and academics.